Bicycle attachment



2 Sheets8heet 1.

(No Model.)

H J RICHTER BICYCLE ATTACHMENT.

No. 591,636. Patented Oct. 12,1897.

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(No Model.) 2 Sheets-Sheet 2.

H. J. RICHTER.

BICYCLE ATTAGHMENT.. No. 591,636. Patented Oct. 12. 1897.,

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I UNITED STATES v PATENT OFFICE.

HARRY J. RICHTER, OF CHICAGO, ILLINOIS.-

BICYCLE ATTACHM ENT.

SPECIFICATION forming part of Letters Patent No. 591,636, dated October 12, 1897.

Application filed October 5 1896- Serlal No. 607,910. (No model.)

T0 aZZ wh0m it may concern:

Be it known that I, HARRY J. Rrorrrnn, a citizen of the United States, residing at Chicago, in the county of Cook and State of Illinois, have invented certain new and useful Improvements in Bicycle Attachments; and

I do hereby declare the following to be a full, clear, and exact description of the invention, such as will enable others skilled in the art to which it appertains to 'make. and use the same.

This invent-ion relates to a combined backrest and steering attachment for bicycles and the like, and has for its object to provide a device of this character whereby the rider is enabled to steer while seated in an upright resting position without having hold of the usual handle-bar.

Figure l is a front elevation of a bicycle embodying my improved features; Fig. 2, a plan of the parts connecting the back-rest and the steering-head; Fig. 3, a detached elevation on line 3, Fig. 1, looking in the direc tion indicated by the arrow; Fig. 4, a brokenaway longitudinal section on line 4, Fig. 3; and Fig. 5, a horizontal section on line 5, Fig. 1. I

A represents the driving-wheel; A, the steering-wheel; B, the upper main part of the frame; B, the center stay-tube; B the front frame-tube B the handle-bar, and B the saddle or seat.

This attachment is designed for use on the different styles of wheels. The description will therefore be limited to the improved features.

A sleeve 0 is clamped on the upper part of the frame-tube B and is provided with a tube or socket extension a, set at an inclined angle, as shown. is inserted in the tube a, the upper end being inserted in a socket a formed on the bearing-sleeve G. A clamping-collar a provides for a longitudinal adjustmentof the tube a in shortening or lengthening this connection. The lower end of a combined tubular backrest and steering-post D is loosely inserted in the sleeve 0, in which it is adapted to turn, and is provided with ball-bearings a a as shown in Fig. 4. A back-rest bar D is' adj ustably mounted on the upper end of post The lower end of a tube a D. This post is divided into two parts near its longitudinal center and is connected by a hinged joint a so that the back-rest part may be turned down sidewise to the position indicated by dotted lines in Fig. 1 when not required for use. A spring-catch or. serves to lock the hinged joint c and secure the backrest in position for use.

A spring-bracket E, Figs. 1, 3, and 5, is

clipped on the post D, the outer part being posite sides with laterally-projecting lugs b b. v

A companion collar G is mounted on the steering-head H and is provided with corresponding lugs b b. These two collars are connected on opposite sides by connecting-rods 6 b having their respective ends attached to the lugs formed thereon, as shown in Fig.

2. These connecting-rods are divided near their longitudinal center and are joined by nuts b b having a threaded engagement.

and which provide means for a proper adjustment of these parts. ment the rider may release his hold on the handle-bar, assume an upright position, lean against the back-rest bar, and steer the bicycle by a slight movement or twist of the body and bring a greater pressure to bear on one end of the rest-bar than on the other, in accordance with the direction in which the wheel is to be guided, the back-rest post turning in its bearings. An auxiliary handle-bar d is mounted on the back-rest post back of the saddle and in a convenient position to be grasped with the hands and assist in the op eration of steering when the hold on the ban dle-bar proper has been released and the rider This By this arrangeloo Having thus described my invention, what I claim as new, and desire to secure by Letters Patent, is

1. In a back-rest and steering attachment for bicycles and the like, the combination 'with a back-rest post, provided with suitable bearings in which to turn, of a collar, mounted thereon, the steering-head, the companion collar, mounted on said head, and the companion rods, connecting said collars, whereby a bicycle may be steered by the pressure of the body against the back-rest, substantially as described.

2. In a bicycle, the combination with the 1 frame, of the sleeve, .0, provided with atube or socket extension, a, a tube at, having its lower end adjustably inserted in the socket HARRY J. RICHTER.

Witnesses:

L. M. FREEMAN, L. B. COUPLAND. 

